To understand what a strange thing this Vow of Mary's was, we must remember that in those days _everyone_ married, even priests and High Priests, and everyone hoped--and especially now that the expectation was getting keener--that his would be the favoured family in which the Messias was to be born. Mary had more reason to hope than many others, for was she not of the tribe of Judah, and of the House of David? Yet she took a vow which cut her off from all hope that this greatest of blessings would be hers. Why? Because her sacrifice of self was perfect. Self was laid entirely on one side, and, as a consequence, her humility was so great that she never thought it possible that the honour of being the Mother of the Messias could be hers, and she cut herself off from all prospect of it. It was this very self-abnegation which was fitting Mary for the destiny GOD intended for her. Her Vow of Virginity, made in response to GOD'S inspirations, was the necessary means for the carrying out of His plans. GOD'S ways are not our ways. "Behold a _virgin_ shall conceive and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel." (Is. vii. 14.) But there were no virgins; and the fact that every Mother in Israel was hoping to be the Mother of the Messias was a proof that this "sign," which GOD Himself gave, was wholly ignored. It was contrary to the spirit of the age. And this was GOD'S moment. Clearly He gave His call: "Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear, and forget thy people and thy father's house; and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty." (Ps. xliv. 11, 12.) And as the little one, in answer to the appeal, joyously mounted the Temple steps, the Angels were already saluting her as _Queen of Virgins_. She was the first; how many would follow in her train! "_After her_ shall virgins be brought to the King; her neighbours shall be brought to Thee; they shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be brought into the Temple of the King. Instead of thy fathers, sons shall be born unto thee." (Verses 15-17.)